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New Zealand First MP Shane Jones says the parliamentary walk-out by National yesterday was a pre-organised stunt that reflected badly on the party.

The MPs walked out after Speaker Trevor Mallard ejected leader Simon Bridges for suggesting he was trying to protect Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern from his line of questioning.

Mr Jones says a bit rich for a party opposed to unions and industrial relations to go on strike.

He says Mr Bridges is desperate to change the narrative.

"They know they can't bully Trevor Mallard. The National Party is wracked with bullying. The leaks are beyond anything Labour suffered under Chris Carter, the errant Labour MP, and I think it's just reflective of the pressure and quite frankly the spirit of defeatism amongst themselves as they come to the end of the year," Mr Jones says.

He says ordinary New Zealanders would say MPs are on good salaries and should work for their living rather than pulling stunts.

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